Healthy peatlands play an active role in carbon sequestration October 27, 2023

Peatlands hold a significant place within the rich tapestry of Scotland’s natural and cultural heritage. They stand as internationally vital ecosystems, serving as a substantial reservoir of carbon. Covering more than 20% of Scotland’s expanse, these peat soils quietly secure approximately 1,600 million tonnes of carbon. Nonetheless, it’s a concerning reality that over 80% of our peatlands have deteriorated.

After almost three years of meticulous planning, countless team meetings, extensive feasibility studies, training, and site visits, George Leslie has now embarked on a Peatland Restoration and Management project at Afton in South Ayrshire, representing Scottish Water’s commitment to this cause. This initiative aligns seamlessly with the Scottish Government’s ambitious aim of achieving a net-zero Scotland no later than 2045.

Healthy peatlands play an active role in carbon sequestration by forming peat and drawing CO₂ from the atmosphere, housing it safely in the earth. In contrast, damaged peatlands can become a source of greenhouse gases, emitting more CO₂ than they absorb. The catastrophic loss of all the carbon stored in our peat soils as CO₂ would be a staggering 120 times greater than our annual greenhouse gas emissions. This underscores the urgency of peatland restoration in removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and addressing climate change. In line with the Scottish Government’s climate change plan for 2018-2032, the updated target is to rejuvenate a minimum of 250,000 hectares of degraded peatland by 2030.

The significance of peatland restoration in Scotland cannot be overstated, driven by ecological, environmental, and societal imperatives. Scotland boasts a substantial share of the UK’s peatlands, spanning around 20% of its total landmass. These distinct, fragile ecosystems hold inestimable value for a multitude of reasons, making their resurgence an urgent mission.

Foremost, these peatlands stand as pivotal carbon reservoirs, securely locking away substantial carbon reserves both above and below the surface. By reviving deteriorated peatlands, Scotland takes a profound step towards carbon sequestration and, in doing so, George Leslie are committed to playing our part in the global struggle to curtail greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.